Family pays tribute to Nocton crash victim

Darren Beedham will be remembered as a thrill-seeking, hugely popular man who lived for his friends and family.

Beedham was killed when his motorbike left the road on the B1188 at Nocton on Saturday, February 12.

He leaves behind his father, Pete Beedham (63) and step-mother Michelle Beedham (47), along with his two brothers; Bruce Beedham (38), from Wolverhampton and John Beedham (30), who lives at Nocton.

His mother Lynne died of breast cancer in 2004.

Since then Beedham had organised an annual pilgrimage for the family to Shell Island in Wales in her memory.

Beedham was born in Lincoln and went to primary school in Metheringham, before finishing his education at Branston Community College.

He trained as a mechanic at Expert Test and Tune, off Bishop’s Road and went on to work at Charlie Brown’s in Dixon Street, where he trained to be an MOT inspector.

The 37-year-old, of Queen Elizabeth Road, Lincoln, then changed career and started working for surface preparation firm, PPC, which is based in Deacon Road, Lincoln.

Beedham’s father, Pete, said his son was known by hundreds of people locally: “No one ever had a bad word to say about him and he never fell out with anyone.

“He was such a happy, fun-loving person – we’re expecting hundreds at the funeral and people are even coming over from places like Australia and the Netherlands.”

Outside of work Darren loved riding his motorbike and going snowboarding.

“He went snowboarding up in Aviemore in January and he’d just booked and paid to go again before the end of the season.

“He loved the exhilaration of it – he was that kind of person – he’d try anything and loved the exciting things in life,” said Beedham’s father.

“But he also had a caring and considerate side that meant he’d always be there for his friends and their families. He was Godfather to his best friend Simon Brooks’ children and his brother John’s children – that was really important to him and he would do things like bake with his brother’s kids.”

Beedham’s brother, Bruce, said: “As a brother we couldn’t have asked for any more. He was a mate too. Everyone warmed to him immediately and he never let life pass him by.

“He died doing something he loved and will leave a huge hole in our lives that will never be filled. We will feel it for the rest of our lives. Every time we think of him we smile.”

Managing director of PPC Tracey Glew said: “We have a small close-knit office team and Darren played a key role.

“The nature of our business also means our employees often have to work unsociable hours and Darren never moaned.

“He always had a sunny disposition and without hesitation, would drop everything at a moment’s notice. He will be dearly missed by all of us.”

A Facebook page has also been opened in Beedham’s memory, with over 250 people paying tribute to him so far.

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